Difference between revisions of "Affluenza"

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[[File:Affluenza .jpg|thumb|300px|More is just More]]
  
Consumerism 
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====Description====
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Affluenza is a social condition, a non-communicable disease, that effects people’s perception of self-worth; leading to the accumulation of wealth or prestige to fill emotional, social or spiritual emptiness. The usual results of this, skewed perception of society or person, often leads to debt, anxiety and waste, sometimes called the "Western disease". An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.
  
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====How it works====
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Affluenza can affect people on any social or economic. Level, where it is most prevalent and its symptoms seem to create the most damage is within the area of society that borders between wealth and poverty. Although there are cases where Affluenza has been the reason for people to fall into poverty, or it effect their decision making to the point that it keeps them in poverty. Poverty, itself is not the result of Affluenza. There are far more reasons for people to live in poverty other than Affluenza.
  
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With people suffering from Affluenza, the obsession for using money to project a certain social image, or to acquire more stuff, can far exceed the amount of money they have to support their basic needs. This can lead to increasing debt, long work hours and anxiety. Whole industries spring up to feed the demand of people buying things they don’t really need. Affluenza is not consumerism nor is it commercialism, but it needs both to sustain it.
  
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==== Evidence ====
  
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====Link Patterns====
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[[Civic Ignorance]] Being ignorant towards the bigger picture, the unnecessary acquisition of "Stuff" has on our environment is what ties this pattern to Civic Ignorance. The buy now throw it  away then buy it again mentality is great business, but poor stewardship of the recourses of the planet. 
  
Throw away the old to make way for the new
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[[Consumerism]] The term Consumer was viewed very negatively hundred years ago, hence the word consumption (Tuberculosis). The meaning of the word has changed from a disease that ravages the body to a modern day shopper. Consumerism and Affluenza are similar but different. You can have Consumerism without Affluenza , but you can not necessary have Affluenza without Consumerism.
  
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====References====
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http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/us/texas-affluenza-teen/index.html
  
Contents
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMllHwkAoM
[hide] 1 Description
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2 How it Works
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3 Evidence
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4 Links
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5 References
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[edit] Description
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Consumerism is an approach to life that is predominantly based on the acquisition and display of material goods. Although consumerism is enacted individually by people who are seemingly driven internally to buy consumer goods (never staples), the drive can probably be traced to a media-induced need production which convincingly defines what the “good life” and how it can be purchased. It also sets up the standards of status through which people can be judged and these are in turn taken up by peer groups who help maintain the system. [1]
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[edit] How it Works
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In order for consumerism to work in any society people need to have disposable income (money left over once basic needs like food, water, and shelter are met). It helps if the members of this society believe that their consumerism is good for the society at large, for example: after World War 2 American citizens were encouraged to buy new products to help the economy recover after the war and the great depression [2].
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A large middle class, with disposable income, and not much to worry about, is also very beneficial to creating a culture of consumerism. Consumerism also thrives when people spend a large portion of their time doing things other than work. The 40 hour work week, having several full days off a week, and having the ability to take extra time off from work, all help consumerism to thrive.
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[edit] Evidence
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[edit] Links
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Environmental Degradation is linked to this pattern in that consumerism is a major cause of Environmental Degradation in that it uses vast amounts of environmental resources and creates vast amounts of waste for the environment.
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Compartmentalization of Knowledge works with consumerism in that many people really do not have access to the knowledge of what the effects of consumerism actually are, like the waste created or non-renewable resources used.
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Denialism: Consumerism relies on denialism to function when people do know the negative effects of consumerism but chose to be in denial about these effects anyway.
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Activism Delegitimization works with perpetuating consumerism in that attempts are often made to delegitimize the activists who speak out against consumerism, such as the "Hippie" Movement of the 60's and 70's (In the USA).
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[edit] References
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1.↑ Miles, Steven. "Consumerism: as a way of life." (1998).
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2.↑ Consumption and Consumerism: http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumption-and-consumerism
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http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Consumerism.aspx
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Latest revision as of 12:24, 1 March 2014

More is just More

Description

Affluenza is a social condition, a non-communicable disease, that effects people’s perception of self-worth; leading to the accumulation of wealth or prestige to fill emotional, social or spiritual emptiness. The usual results of this, skewed perception of society or person, often leads to debt, anxiety and waste, sometimes called the "Western disease". An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.

How it works

Affluenza can affect people on any social or economic. Level, where it is most prevalent and its symptoms seem to create the most damage is within the area of society that borders between wealth and poverty. Although there are cases where Affluenza has been the reason for people to fall into poverty, or it effect their decision making to the point that it keeps them in poverty. Poverty, itself is not the result of Affluenza. There are far more reasons for people to live in poverty other than Affluenza.

With people suffering from Affluenza, the obsession for using money to project a certain social image, or to acquire more stuff, can far exceed the amount of money they have to support their basic needs. This can lead to increasing debt, long work hours and anxiety. Whole industries spring up to feed the demand of people buying things they don’t really need. Affluenza is not consumerism nor is it commercialism, but it needs both to sustain it.

Evidence

Link Patterns

Civic Ignorance Being ignorant towards the bigger picture, the unnecessary acquisition of "Stuff" has on our environment is what ties this pattern to Civic Ignorance. The buy now throw it away then buy it again mentality is great business, but poor stewardship of the recourses of the planet.

Consumerism The term Consumer was viewed very negatively hundred years ago, hence the word consumption (Tuberculosis). The meaning of the word has changed from a disease that ravages the body to a modern day shopper. Consumerism and Affluenza are similar but different. You can have Consumerism without Affluenza , but you can not necessary have Affluenza without Consumerism.

References

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/us/texas-affluenza-teen/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMllHwkAoM